Togyu Bullfighting ("Bull sumo")
Two bulls literally lock horns in sumo-style contests whose origins in these parts date back at least to the 17th century. If you can make it here during one of the four annual tournaments, held on a Sunday in early January, early May, mid-August, and late October, you can experience these generally bloodless battles of muscle and will, which in recent years have been rebranded as "bull sumo" in English. Uwajima's bullfighting stadium is atop Mt. Maruyama (more of a hill than a mountain), a 30-minute walk or 10-minute cab ride from Uwajima Station.
